Will loss of the 'Holmesdale Fanatics' affect Crystal Palace on the pitch?

By now we all know Crystal Palace were beaten by Liverpool 2-0 at Selhurst Park on Monday night under the floodlights.

A packed house, banners waving and the air of usual excitement among fans, nothing was different for Roy’s boys ahead of their first home match of the season.

Forward 90 minutes, a James Milner penalty, a Wan-Bissaka red card and Sadio Mané injury time goal, and there was one glaring omission from the performance, and it wasn’t on the pitch.

It was The Holmesdale Fanatics.

As the dust settled after the match and debates raged on over whether it was or wasn’t a dive by Mo Salah, for the penalty and the sending off, fans are now turning their attention to the corner of the stand that was once occupied by the ‘flag waving, drum beating maniacs.’

Now scattered throughout the ground due to a dispute between them and the seating allocators, it was the first time in 13 years that they were not present as a group in the Lower Holmesdale Stand.

Instead their tickets in their usual spot in Block B were sold on to fans.

The dispute arose last season as the ‘fanatics’ held discussions with the club over moving from their corner of the ground to behind the goal, to create a better atmosphere.

The proposition was vetoed by those currently occupying the seats.

With opinions divided over whether they should be allowed to move there’s no getting away from the fact the ground missed the intimidating, raucous atmosphere provided by the ‘ultras’.

Twitter was abuzz with views.

It's been said by plenty on here already but the Holmesdale Fanatics' absence was felt throughout last night's game. For the good of the club, this situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible; if not, our atmosphere will suffer in the long-term.

Holmesdale fanatics 😂🙈 Fed up of these clowns being labelled the most passionate in England! If they were that intense they wouldn’t give their tickets up after a row with the club! https://t.co/b221v5yZ6J

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here